Suppose you wanted to build a house. You were given all of the raw materials, but (for some reason) you were only able to use one tool. Which tool would you choose? You could choose a saw. It is good to have things cut properly to size. Perhaps you could use the handle like a …
Tag: evangelism
How Narrow is Your Great Commission?
Recently, I heard of a church that had cut off support to an orphanage in another country. Why? Because they believed that the helping children under 5 years old was not consistent with the Great Commission. Now I freely accept that any church has the right to support or stop support for any outside ministry. …
Critique on Evangelism. Part 2
Read Post #1 first. Continuation... 5. Evangelism tends to be too focused on “the conversion event”. James Engel developed the Engel Scale to show conversion is part of a longer discipleship process that goes from complete ignorance of God to a faithful steward of God. Anything that moves a person from the low end …
Critique on Evangelism. Part 3
Read Part 2 First Continuation... final part. 10. Evangelism often is too dependent on proof-texting. Proof-texting is a lazy form of apologetics/argument. Cultic groups love it because almost any strange doctrine can be proof-texted if one rips a verse, sentence, or phrase from its context. I heard a preacher say on numerous occasions that one …
Critique on Evangelism. Part 1
I have to admit that I might not be the right person to criticize “evangelism” as it is practiced today. As a student and teacher of missiology, and as an administrator of the Christian Counseling Center, evangelism (as it is presently defined) is something I only do rarely. (On the other hand, I have organized …
Multi-dimensional Evangelism
The term "evangelism" ("euangelizo") certainly has gone through many stages in understanding its meaning. The Greek root of this term limits it to "proclamation" or the sharing of news. Within the Christian context, it would cover sharing the good news of Christ to people. However, in its usage in the Bible and in the early …
Hiding in the Light
Here is a very old joke. A man, apparently named “Mac”, is walking down the street when he sees a second man, “Bud”, looking around the sidewalk for something. Mac, being a very astute individual, says, “Hey Bud, you lose somethin’?” -Bud responds “What’s it to you, Mac?” -“Nothin’.” replies Mac, “Just seein’ if I …